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Our recent hosts entered into a dispute regarding damage to a shower that we categorically did not cause.

To my dismay Airbnb resolution centre has found in the hosts favour and want £133 for damages. The security deposit was £100 and Airbnb have tried to take this form my credit card however my credit card number has changed since the booking was made and their email to me makes clear they could not obtain that £100 when they tried to retrieve it from the card I made the booking with. They also say if I do not pay within 2 weeks they will charge an additional £100.

I do not accept their conclusion that we are responsible for the shower, the hosts however have convinced them with photos of damage and receipts for repairs, although there is no evidence this was caused by us. I also have no intention of using Airbnb again.

My credit card has a new number andis with my main bank. Am I right in saying Airbnb cannot take money from this account without my approval?

I am also conscious that Airbnb have my name, address and they link it to your Facebook page. But I have not been found guilty of anything beyond their opaque resolution centre finding in the hosts favour (I was given a chance to reply which I did but I took no photos, Airbnb also did not share with me the evidence from the host).

If I do not agree with this charge what other recourse do I have?

If I simply ignore requests for payment and donít use Airbnb again are there likely to be any consequences?

I would expect the hosts to follow-up with court action - where are they based?

Given the circumstances you describe I'd simply respond that you dispute the damage and you'll see them in court. If they can persuade a judge that you caused the damage then you'll have to pay up plus court fees.

They will use the old card number to take the payment as an authorisation would have been given before the card was cancelled. Why was your card number changed ? When they take the payment, it will simply be transferred to your current credit card number using the original authorisation code. This is one of the reasons hotels etc take card details on check in. You could dispute the transaction as unauthorised but without evidence that you didn't cause the damage i don't hold out much hope of success with this.

I imagine that as part of the booking process you agreed to abide by terms and conditions which will have included their dispute process.
I'm not sure that there will be much you can do. Obviously something like this is hard to prove either way and they have sided with the owner after hearing / seeing their evidence.
If you ignore requests for payment they may well chase this up using other means so you will probably have to address it at some point.

Makes you wonder whether we will have to start treating Airbnb and other accommodation in the same way as hire cars. Photos of damage on arrival, photos/video of [no] damage on departure, to ensure you're covered in the event of dispute.

Makes you wonder whether we will have to start treating Airbnb and other accommodation in the same way as hire cars. Photos of damage on arrival, photos/video of [no] damage on departure, to ensure you're covered in the event of dispute.

They will use the old card number to take the payment as an authorisation would have been given before the card was cancelled. Why was your card number changed ? When they take the payment, it will simply be transferred to your current credit card number using the original authorisation code. This is one of the reasons hotels etc take card details on check in. You could dispute the transaction as unauthorised but without evidence that you didn't cause the damage i don't hold out much hope of success with this.

Makes you wonder whether we will have to start treating Airbnb and other accommodation in the same way as hire cars. Photos of damage on arrival, photos/video of [no] damage on departure, to ensure you're covered in the event of dispute.

Makes you wonder whether we will have to start treating Airbnb and other accommodation in the same way as hire cars. Photos of damage on arrival, photos/video of [no] damage on departure, to ensure you're covered in the event of dispute.

”

Yep - that's how the military do it with accommodation, without the need for photos.

Needs somebody from each side to inspect at take over and return - but who wants that gross inconvenience on a holiday or trip ?

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